In the Ornamental Plant Materials Certificate (OPC) program, students develop knowledge of native plants and the ever-expanding variety of ornamental well-suited for northeastern Illinois. The program covers more than 500 plants, focusing on identification, cultural requirements, and use in gardens and the broader landscape. Gain a deeper knowledge of horticulture with experiential learning in the gardens.

Who should participate? Aspiring professional gardeners, landscape technicians, landscape maintenance professionals, and other green-industry individuals seeking professional development. There are no prerequisites to start the program, and no prior horticulture experience is needed. Sign up for an Ornamental Plant Materials Certificate class today.

Register Now

The program requirements include nine required core courses and 24 instructional hours of elective courses. The Botany 1 course is offered at least twice year. After completing Botany 1, the remaining eight required courses may be taken in any order. These eight courses are offered on a rotating basis over a two-year period. If you are able to take all the courses when offered, you can complete the certificate in just two years. All requirements for the certificate must be completed within five years of the start date of your first core course.

The nine required courses are graded and you will apply the course content through projects, quizzes, exams, or garden walks. For the certificate, a grade of at least 70 percent must be achieved for each required course.

A wide variety of elective course topics are offered so you can customize your coursework based on your interests and goals. Elective course topics range from successful plant combinations to sustainable practices to plant recommendations from horticulture experts. The elective courses are not graded so credit is recorded by attendance. Most elective courses do not incorporate quizzes or exams.

Ready to get started? Begin your journey with Botany 1 or an OPC elective course.

24 instructional hours of elective credit is required